Habitat: Inhabit most reef environments, especially shallow fringing, patch and back reef areas. Distribution: Florida, Caribbean Depth: 3 - 100 ft. Characteristics: Colonies arise as single, round rods from one encrusting base. Polyps are large, and give a hair-like appearance when extended. Color ranges from purple to violet to gray, with shades of brown, polyps often greenish to brown and gray. May also encrust branches of other gorgonians. Colony height varies from 0.5 - 24 in.